COMMON COMPASSION

Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all. – Proverbs 22:2

If I truly, down deep in my mind and in my soul, embrace the truth that both the poor and the rich (and all people in between) have been made and have been given life by the Holy God of all creation, then this should make a difference in all of my choices.

All of my choices – in my attitudes, words, actions, interactions, reactions and, even, in all of my facial expressions – because of our human commonality as creations of the One Living God, should be ruled by compassion. And this compassion should show itself towards others in very real, tangible, practical and spiritual ways. Compassion should rule my ways and my wallet, my purposes and plans, my time and my talents, my efforts and my energy, my perspectives and prayers.

We are loved by our Holy God in ways that are beyond our comprehension. Yet, for far too many of us, we don’t fully accept the truth of God’s incredible, compassionate love for us. As we begin to trust God more and more as a Truth Teller, especially about His outrageous love and unfailing compassion for us, we will be more able to let the love and compassion we have received from our God pour more freely and fully from us into the lives of others. All others.

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. – Lamentations 3:22-23

We have this in common with all people – poor, rich, kind, cruel, hurting, hurtful, maddening, marvelous, loving, lost – the Lord is Maker of us all and our Lord offers His same great love and unfailing compassion to every single one of us. As children of God and followers of Jesus Christ, we each are to deeply breathe in and believe these God-declared truths that we share in common with all people. And as children of God and followers of Christ, we are to do something about these truths.

Maybe for you, what you need to do is to really believe these are true for you. You are made in the image and likeness of the Maker of all that exists. You are loved greatly, outrageously and offered the fullness of God’s compassion through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Neither of these truths can ever change – no matter how you may change or your life circumstances may change. These are unchanging truths from our unchanging God.

Maybe for you, what you need to do about these truths is to view people – each person who crosses your path or who just crosses you – through the Cross of Christ. You need to lay down your hatred, your judgment, your unforgiveness and your self-righteous anger because Jesus Christ laid down His life for you, out of His great love and unfailing compassion.

May the uncommon compassion that our Lord Jesus Christ has for us become our common compassion for all people!